Rights Holder: Durham County Council
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SEAL MATRIX
Unique ID: DUR-C09257
Object type certainty: Certain
Workflow
status: Awaiting validation 
An incomplete lead seal matrix of Medieval date (AD 1200-1300).
The seal is pointed oval in plan, and has a broken lug projecting from the top of its apex and another break at the other end of the object. The front of the die depicts a large central crescent moon with a five pointed star above, and is surrounded by an engraved linear border outside which is an engraved inscription. The inscription is partially obscured by damage and wear which makes reading it very difficult. The back of the object has some cast detail which is unclear but may be a stylised bird with outstretched wings.
Pointed-oval seals such as this appear from the early 13th century AD and were often used as seals for women (Harvey and McGuinness, 1996: 79-80). A similar object with the same motif is recorded on the PAS database, see SWYOR-201D51.
Subsequent actions
Subsequent action after recording: Returned to finder
Chronology
Broad period: MEDIEVAL
Date from: Circa AD 1200
Date to: Circa AD 1300
Dimensions and weight
Quantity: 1
Length: 31.62 mm
Width: 20.4 mm
Weight: 12.1 g
Personal details
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Materials and construction
Spatial metadata
Region: North East (European Region)County or Unitary authority: County Durham (Unitary Authority)
District: County Durham (Unitary Authority)
To be known as: Near Durham
Spatial coordinates
Grid reference source: From finder
Unmasked grid reference accurate to a 1 metre square.
References cited
No references cited so far.
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Timeline of associated dates
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